Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

Eric Schnaible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Bucket Trucks

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I too am thinking along the same line Eric but all I can find locally are buckets with utility bodies. A flat bed with a bucket would be perfect. We do a lot of apartment siding and roofs so I thought it would easily pay for itself when you consider the cost of lift rentals.

Roof Cleaning Virginia · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Eric Schnaible wrote:
We are looking into buying a bucket truck. I hate the idea of buying something and not really using it. That said, we maintain a lot of commercial roofs so it's starting seem like a reasonable decision. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with these?

Hi Eric. I had one for a number of years and loved it - mainly because I'm terrified of heights. It was a great work truck and sent the right message to our client based as far as I was concerned. To me, it sent the message that we meant business. And being logo'd up, it was good for marketing and branding too. The down fall is they tend to get showered in SH when in use, and it takes it's toll. The corrosion started to really get bad on mine and I sold it before it became a rust bucket. I would have purchased another, but I've gone a different direction, and no longer need one. I may get one again anyway. I'll see if I can find a picture to add to this post.

Roof Cleaning Virginia · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Here it is again with revised graphics. The URL on the boom was the best money I ever spent. Choose very carefully. A lot of 37ft lifts out there. I'd go 42ft working height, up-and-over at a minimum That extra 5 feet makes a huge difference. This truck was powered by a 7.3 diesel, and the boom was PTO powered, and it had 12v back up emergency power. Some require generators to run the hydraulics.

Eric Schnaible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Ok Brett, I'm sort of in the same boat, I will keep in touch as far as the direction and design we decide to go with.
Ted I'm glad you chimed in. I was hoping to hear from you since I remembered your truck. That's some good insight. I will probably be contacting you with some questions.
On big high end jobs some customers expect high end equipment like lifts ETC, The reality on residential jobs is that they are useful for a small percentage of the work. We are at about 3 million sq ft of commercial roof maintenance annually now so I think it's time to pull the trigger.
Like Ted said, I think the marketing itself has value. I'm sure it will sit most days but sure will be convenient on others. I'm gonn have to train the guys to maintain (rinse) it well.

mikepas · Exterior Cleaner

I own a towable man lift (40') i use almost every day, there's jobs i wouldn't do if i didn't have one. saves a lot of time.

The negatives: On residential jobs getting around the house. as a towable having a place to park, backing in tight places.

Mike

Maverick Contracting · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I love these spyder lifts, the one I use is 6 pounds per Sq ft I think so it's safe over sprinkler pipes etc. 30 inches wide goes thru door and gateways.

-- Edited by Maverick Contracting on Saturday 17th of September 2016 02:46:48 AM

Dave · Approved Exterior Cleaner

here is a truck for you. grandrapids.craigslist.org/ctd/5762879642.html

Eric Schnaible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

That's a monster. Little more than I'm looking for. Nice Though.

Fred W · Guru

The problem with most bucket trucks is that they are really designed for straight up work. Making it difficult to reach many areas. You also can't drive around most homes.

You might consider looking for a used "Van Ladder". Since they are straight they will probably work out better.....Have been considering one of these myself!

Bryan P · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Would be cool to have a man lift made something like the "Equipter" that is made for roofing. I knew a roofer that had one of these. It raises up but can be driven around the house.

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Rent as needed, much cheaper

Eric Schnaible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Art O wrote:
Rent as needed, much cheaper

Yeah that's some cold hard logic to get around.

not as cool though.

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Eric Schnaible wrote:
Art O wrote:
Rent as needed, much cheaper
Yeah that's some cold hard logic to get around.
not as cool though.

Rent as needed certainly works well. If I could find the right truck for the right price I'd get it. It's hard to find a bucket on a flatbed. I do not want a utility body because they take up way too much needed space and most are already rusting. It looks like I will go with another box truck or a flatbed. The search for the right bucket truck keeps turning up trucks that won't work or a two day road trip home that I don't have time for right now.

Maverick Contracting · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Make friends with a tree guy.
They have bucket trucks you can borrow.

SprayWash · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I spend a fair amount of time in lifts. My problems with purchasing one are multi-fold.
1) There's always something going wrong with them...and the rental places are the only place to get them serviced in my market. So i'd always be in the "back of the line" when my machine breaks. Their stuff gets top priority.
2) I am constantly getting different lifts. So far this year I've rented 45-85 foot self propelled, 50 foot tow behinds, and right now i've got a 26' scissor lift sitting in my parking lot that i've had out for 2 months on lease, a truck lift wouldn't work in many of these scenarios.

That being said, if i got a screaming deal on one, i'd buy it. but it would have to be a great deal!

Fred W · Guru

Ray, I have the deal you're looking for!

I have a key to one of my biggest customers holding yard. He has two of them and I know where the keys are. I'll rent you my key for a few hours. The local cops like me so i'll invite them for drinks that night on the other side of town.

You should be able to make Alabama before anyone notices!

SprayWash · Approved Exterior Cleaner

sweet, i'm in!!!!

anyone know where the VIN #'s are located on a lift?

Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

Ted Saunders

Founder, American-ProTech

Ted Saunders

Founder, American-ProTech